Smoking vs patch or chantix while pregnant

[40plusmom]

Early pregnancy and can't quit smoking entirely-yes I know it's AWFUL and am mad at myself and feel terribly guilty but I can't seem to give it up completely. Anyone know if chantix or the patch is better or worse than actually smoking & pg? Ideally I'd be able to quit but can't so far. Chantix has worked well and was almost quit when found out was pg but I stopped taking that when I found out

[40plusmom]

Also I know chantix is a pregnancy category C drug but I'd think smoking would be an X so I was thinking the lesser of two evils type thing. Same thing with the patch.  Anyway, I'm hoping and praying to be able to quit cold turkey asap!

[40plusmom]

Thank you all! It is terrible that they put stuff in cigarettes just to keep people smoking them. Ugh! I quit before my first child so it wasn't an issue then.

[adgal]

Hi there.  First off, you need to stop beating yourself up.  Congrats on your pregnancy and congrats on making the decision to quit smoking.  As a former smoker, I know firsthand it's not easy, but hey, if I can do it, you can too!!

Smoking has all kinds of potential risks associated with it as you know.  I had a low birthweight baby due to placental failure.  He is healthy Thank God, but if I knew that anything I did could have contributed to it, I am not certain I could live with myself.  So you don't want to smoke.  I didn't, and I still find myself questioning everything I did in pregnancy.  

I am not certain about ciantix.  I know that they do prescribe it to nursing moms, however I do not think they have used it with pregnant moms.  As for the patch, it says on the box that it is not to be used during pregnancy.  The University of Calgary has done some studies and found that it was better then actually smoking.  Not as many chemicals.  That being said, I would not take responsibility for telling you it's ok, you need to do your own research and make your own decision.  I would talk to your Dr.  There are safer methods to quit such as acupuncture and hypnosis.  I would make that appointment today.  The sooner you quit, the better for the health of your little one.  In the meantime, smoke as little as possible.  I know how strong that addiction is, so try to stay super busy and substitute snacks such as carrot sticks. They were my best friend when I quit.  One of the things I also did was carry around an ultrasound pic with me as everytime I was tempted, it helped me remember why I had quit and needed to stay off of them, particularly during stressful moments (every pregnancy has them..lol)


Lastly, MedHelp has a quit smoking forum.  I am certain you will find lots of people there who will help support you and encourage you.  The same goes for this forum.

I wish you much luck and success.  You can do it!!!

[k10road]

I believe that the effects of Chantix on a pregnant woman or on the embryo are unknown as it has not been tested on pregnant women.  Basically, this means it is not safe to take while pregnant (since the adverse affects are unknown).  Regarding the patch vs. cigarettes, they both deliver nicotine, which is dangerous when pregnant and can cause miscarriage.  The difference is that the patch doesn't have all the tar and other cr ap that enters your lungs.  Before using the patch though, you should talk to your doctor.  If I remember correctly, a low dose of Wellbutrin is safe during pregnancy, and it is prescribed to help quit smoking.  

I am going to guess that you have never been through a miscarriage.  Since I now have, smoking is just WAY out of the question for me.  However, I am not judging you, because in my pregnancies with both of my sons, before I ever had a miscarriage, I was unable to quit smoking.  And yes, it was terrible.  Thank GOD they were both healthy babies.  But now, after having a few miscarriages and knowing that nicotine can contribute, I would just NEVER consider it again.  

So, maybe that is something that you need to think about.  That it can cause a miscarriage.  Are you prepared to handle that?  

I wish you luck.  I know that quitting smoking is one of the hardest things ever.  The things they put in cigarettes these days is sickening...and it's just for this reason...so that NOBODY can quit.  I come from a family of all smokers.  I wish they would quit.  For me, chantix was AMAZING.  It worked in 2 weeks for me.  Just speak with your doctor.  The thing you have on your side is that you want to quit.  That is the most important.  You also have a motivation.  So, now you need the willpower.  Pray for it!!

[KarenDiane]

I don't know what the side effects of chantrix are. The patch would definately be better than smoking. I quit when I found out I was pregnant, so I know what you are going through. But, remember that nicotine in any form isn't good for the baby so don't rely on chantrix or the patch any longer than neccesary. Good Luck!